Marie passed away peacefully in her 89th year at the Meaford Long Term Care Centre, with family by her side on Tuesday, August 8, 2023, just one day after her beloved husband and best friend Ivan passed away by her side.
Born in Meaford on June 3, 1935, she was a daughter of the late George and Eva (nee Smith) Fitzsimmons.
Marie was predeceased by her first husband Thomas Kennaway and by her second husband Ivan Kjiersdam.
She was the much-loved mother of Robert (Guy) Kennaway of Chatham, Rodney (Debbie) Kennaway of Meaford, Roxanne (Mike) Elka of Cambridge, Randy (Ginger) Kennaway of Owen Sound, Rosemary Hughes of Cambridge, stepson Benny Kjiersdam (Thelma), and was predeceased by her stepdaughter Brenda Kjiersdam. Marie was a very proud grandmother, great-grandmother, and aunt.
Marie is survived by her brother Jim Fitzsimmons (Carol) and was predeceased by her siblings: Abraham Fitzsimmons, Joan Murray (late Wayne), and Alice Lougheed (late Glen). She will be remembered fondly by her sister-in-law Shirley Fitzsimmons, and was predeceased by her sister-in-law Joyce Fitzsimmons.
Marie absolutely loved going to church. That was her calling and her church family was very important to her. She looked forward to time with her family and adored her grandchildren. Marie was the best pie maker and loved making everybody’s favourite pie. She was extremely kind-hearted. One of her favourite pastimes was time spent camping with family and friends. She really loved life and always made the best of any situation. Marie’s family very much appreciates the spiritual influence that Ivan, Benny, and Thelma have shared since the day Marie married Ivan and they have been a blessing to our family for 20 years.
A funeral service celebrating Marie and Ivan’s life will be conducted at the Cook Street Pentecostal Church in Meaford on Monday, August 28, 2023, at 12 noon, with visiting the hour prior to service.
As your expression of sympathy, donations to the Cook Street Pentecostal Church (cheques only please) or the Meaford Hospital Foundation would be appreciated and may be made through the Ferguson Funeral Home, 48 Boucher St. E., Meaford, ON, N4L 1B9, to whom arrangements have been entrusted.
